October Exhibit at SAAG Gallery

I set up in my new location at the SAAG Gallery this morning.  Here is what I will be showing.  The opening reception is Friday October 4 from 4 to 7 PM.  Now I have to get busy painting for the Sun City Art Festival which is Saturday November 2.  I'll post more information as we get closer to that time.  Time to head out to my nice neat shop and start to mess it up again!

My Workshop

I spent time this morning getting everything ready for the change over tomorrow at the SAAG Gallery.  I am moving to a new area in the gallery with all new art.  It takes time to make all the labels and the new invoice sheet and packing up all the art. I finished by noon and at 2  we went to a 50th anniversary party for some long time friends.  When we came home I thought I would take a nap then relax the rest of the day but I couldn't dose off so decided to CLEAN my workshop.  Things had gotten pretty messy over the past month or so while I was working towards the new gallery exhibit.  I have just 4 weeks until the Sun City Art Festival and I could not face working in all that mess so I got busy and got it neat again.  I know it won't stay neat for long because the only time it stays that way is if I am not painting.  Since I will be painting every day for the next month it will revert back to the mess but still it is nice to start fresh every so often.  I took before and after photos that I will post below.

From this

To this
 (I still have to empty the trash can)

From this

To this

Duck Decoy

When I did my post yesterday morning I mentioned that I hoped to have the duck decoy done by Sunday but wasn't counting on it.  Well, I surprised myself by having it finished last night.  I didn't get home until after 2 yesterday afternoon and had to leave again at 6:30 but in that time frame I finished the project!  I applied the first coat of polycrylic this morning before I left for the bowling alley and the second coat when I got home about 1 this afternoon.  Since I had all the colors blocked in all I had to do yesterday afternoon was the decorating and that went pretty fast.  He is 11" long from tip of beak to tip of tail and is 5" high at the top of his head.  I have named him Daffy.  I have never done a duck decoy before. (I did do a rubber ducky back in July which you can find if you go back through older posts)  I have another duck decoy to do that I will show at the Sun City Art Festival on Nov. 2.  I found Daffy and his brother at a yard sale.  I will name the other one after I am through painting him and see his personality.  I am thinking of using a camouflage theme ala Duck Dynasty.  Hmmmm....Yes that is what I will do!! Enjoy these photos of Daffy.

Geometric Abstract

This is the geometric abstract painting I mentioned in my last post.  I had the canvas prepped and painted the design part at the SAAG Gallery yesterday.  I got most of it done there and only had a little finish work when I got home.  I call it "Designs in Terracotta and Teal".   I have a similar larger version of this that I did for myself years ago that I have hanging in my hall.  A fellow artist saw it and loved the colors so I decided to use the color pallet for this smaller one that will go to the gallery for the fall exhibition.  The change out is on Sunday and I hope to get the duck decoy done by then but since the next few days are full of activities that may not happen. 

Pots, Plants and Pumpkin Recipe Box

I wanted to have a few fall themed items for the next session at the SAAG Gallery so decided to do this painting on a rustic looking recipe box.  This box looks like it is old and I liked that look so decided to leave it is its natural state.  I have a few more things I hope to finish for the gallery change out on Sunday.  I work at the gallery tomorrow and will have a painting with me to work on during the down times.  It is something I haven't done in a long time.  It is what I call geometric abstract.  I'll post a few photos of that type of painting below.

 

These paintings were done a long time ago and the photos are not the best quality but it gives you an idea of what I mean by geometric abstract.

Dia de los Muertos

I completed the project I was working on yesterday.  This is the "something different" I mentioned in my last post.  I have done paintings of this subject before but not the actual object.  What is it?  It is a Day of the Dead Skull...not a real skull but a Styrofoam skull.  I saw it at Michales and just had to buy it and paint it.  I will be showing it at the SAAG Gallery in October.

 If you are not familiar with Dia de los Muertos here is an explanation:  It is a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and around the world in other cultures.  The holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died.  It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it is a national holiday, and all the banks are closed.  The celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.  Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars and honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.  

They have a big celebration every year here in Tucson with a parade.  People dress in costumes and paint their faces like skulls.  Google Day of the Dead art images to see how the holiday is depicted in folk art paintings.  A few years ago I decided to attempt my first day of the dead painting and entered it in a local contest and won honorable mention.  I am posting photos of several of these paintings along with the skull I just completed.

Front View

Side View

Back View

15 X15 Day of the Dead painting
that I will be showing at the
SAAG Gallery in October

This is the painting I won honorable mention on a few years ago.  It is sold.

"Carpe Diem"
A painting I did for a grandson at his request.  Each object in the painting has a meaning.

"Vanitas"
A painting I did last year and sold in January this year at the De Grazia Show.
If you scroll back and go through older posts you will find the story about these paintings.

Painting and Tray

Yet another busy day for me but I will have this afternoon and evening to paint.  Below are photos of the projects I finished yesterday.  The first is a large tin tray that has scalloped edges.  It was perfect for my large red rose.  The other is a classic desert scene.  Size is 13X11.  I'm working on something different now.  Something I have not done before.  I'll post a photo as soon as it is done.  I'm not giving a hint of what it is.  You will have to wait until you see the photo.

Saguaros times two

I have had a busy week.  I had some where to go every day including tomorrow and Saturday.  Still....I found time to paint.  I completed two 12X6 saguaro paintings.  One will go on display at the SAAG Gallery for the new session that starts on October 1.  The other will go the the Sun City Art Festival on November 2.  I should have a couple of more paintings ready to post later tomorrow. 

A new box and works in progress

Above is another boots and hat box that I just finished.  I sold the last one at the SAAG gallery.  I thought you might be interested in seeing some projects I am currently working on so have posted photos below.  Sometimes I work on things simultaneously going from piece to piece using the paint I have on the pallet. I am doing that with the two saguaro paintings and the duck decoy.  I started the duck a few days ago so he has more colors already applied.  The other object is base coated and ready for the painting. I am not sure what to call this thing so decide on calling it a trough tray.  I will do an "Images of Arizona" type painting on it. 

I'll post photos of these projects when they are done but it may take awhile because the next week is a busy one for me and I won't have a lot of painting time.

 

 

Two Boxes

Below are photos of two small boxes I just completed.  I have a number of projects I am working on now simultaneously.  I have base coated a cutting board, another box and have an interesting piece that is a long trough type of tray.  I also have a duck decoy that I am doing in a patchwork design.  I am adding new colors a little at a time.  I must wait until one color drys before I add another so am working on it between my other projects. This decoy is the first I have ever done but wont be my last because I have another one waiting to be painted.  I got all of these items at yard sales except for the box.  It was built by my father many years ago before we moved to Arizona.  I removed the old painting and am doing something more Southwest.  The box in the photo below is also one  that he made.  I decided on sunflowers in a vase on a sarpe.  This will go to either the SAAG gallery or to the Sun City Art Festival.

This is an interesting box that I got at a yard sale.  It was made like a picture frame that allowing a photo to be inserted in the opening.  I used a small canvas (3"X4") instead.  I painted a pot and plant design.  It complements the wood frame and black box.

Finished Functional Items

I completed a few more functional items.  These include two cutting boards, a tray and a domino train station.  I call them "functional" but in reality they are more decorative then functional except for the domino train station.  This train station is the first of 20 that I must do. I will wait until I have more done before posting a photo of it.  I am posting photos of the cutting boards and tray.  See the below.

Calla Lily Tray is 16X8

Saguaro Cutting Board is 21X5

Chili Pepper Cuttng Board is 14X7

Desert Scene Stained Glass window

 

 

 

Here is the newest stained glass window created by my husband, Roger.  I helped with the design work and color choice.  It will soon be installed in the home of friends.  Size is 55" long by 11" high and will be in their home office which faces the front of the house.  She wanted colors that would match my "Equine Mystic" which hangs in that room.  See photo below.

 

Replacement Paintings

You all know that when I sell a painting I paint another of the same image to replace the one that sold.  I recently sold these three paintings at the SAAG Gallery.  Here are photos of the ones I painted as replacements.  I think I will save them for the Sun City Art Festival which is fast approaching.  I am happy that I am selling at the gallery but it puts more pressure on me to build up inventory for the festival in November.  I like to have a good selection for people to choose from for that show.  Lots of people come through. both those who have never seen my work and many previous customers who are looking for something new or for gift items.  Must keep busy painting!

Desert Dwellers
12X6

Cowgirl's Delight
10X8

Images of Arizona
11X9

Oro Valley Library Show

I hung the Oro Valley Library Show yesterday...or I should say, Roger hung the paintings and I supervised.  Don't know what I would do without his help.  I am showing 19 paintings in various sizes all or which feature cacti.  They are done in my whimsical style and are very colorful.  The show runs until October 15.  You can view it during regular library hours.  The library is located at 1305 W. Naranja Drive.